Rejected By My Mate; Claimed By Lycan Quadruplets Chapter 295

As Emma and Ethan stepped out of the restaurant, the cool night breeze brushed against her skin.

Ethan’s hand held hers gently, his thumb absentmindedly tracing small circles on the back of her palm.

The dinner had been… unexpected. She hadn’t imagined Ethan would be so open, telling her about his family, his past, and how he had never been lucky in relationships.

There was something genuine about the way he spoke, something that made her feel warm inside.

As they reached his car, Ethan turned to her, his dark eyes searching hers. “Emma…”

She glanced up at him, waiting.

He sighed softly, then smiled.

“I meant what I said back there. I won’t rush you. I’ll wait for your answer, however long it takes.”

Emma felt a strange flutter in her chest.

She wasn’t sure what to say, so she only nodded.

Ethan smiled at her response, then opened the passenger door for her.

“Come on, let’s get you home.”

The drive was mostly silent, but it wasn’t uncomfortable.

The radio played softly in the background, and every now and then, Emma could feel Ethan glance her way.

When they finally arrived at her apartment, Ethan parked the car and got out to walk her to the door.

He was always such a gentleman—something Emma wasn’t used to.

As they stood outside her door, Ethan reached up and tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear.

His fingers were warm, lingering for just a second longer than necessary.

“Sleep well, Emma.”

Before she could respond, he leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to her cheek.

Emma froze, feeling her heart race.

Ethan pulled back, his lips twitching into a knowing smile.

Then, without another word, he turned around, walked back to his car, and drove off into the night.

Emma stood at her doorstep for a long moment, her fingers brushing the spot where he had kissed her.

It had been a simple gesture.

But it made her feel something she hadn’t felt in a long time.

The next morning

Emma woke up to the soft chime of a notification on her phone.

She groggily reached for it, blinking against the morning light.

When she saw Ethan’s name on the screen, her lips curled into a smile before she even realized it.

She tapped on the message.

“Good morning, beautiful. I hope you slept well. I just wanted to remind you that someone out here is already thinking about you.”

Emma stared at the words for a long moment, her fingers tightening around the phone.

She had forgotten what it felt like to receive such sweet words from a man.

She had forgotten what it was like to be adored.

And now, Ethan was awakening those feelings inside her again.

She let out a soft sigh, rolled onto her side, and read the message again.

Then, shaking her head at herself, she finally got out of bed.

It was Saturday.

Which meant no work.

And since Serena, her boss was still at home recovering, Emma had nowhere she needed to be.

After taking a quick shower, she wrapped herself in a fluffy robe and walked over to her mirror.

As she sat down in front of it, her phone started ringing.

She glanced at the screen.

Ethan.

Her heart skipped a beat, but she quickly composed herself and answered.

“Hello?”

“Morning, sleepyhead,” Ethan’s voice was warm, smooth, and far too attractive for this early in the day.

Emma rolled her eyes, trying to ignore the way her stomach flipped.

“I’m not a sleepyhead. I just woke up a little late, that’s all. Afterall, other working days, I always had to wake up on time just to get to work early and on weekends and the only days I get to sleep and wake up at my own convenience.

“Uh-huh, I do understand but still sounds like a sleepyhead to me,” he teased.

Emma smiled, but she didn’t argue. She already knew he was trying to tease and get on her nerves with his words.

“So,” Ethan continued, “do you have any plans for the weekend?”

“Well, Not really,” she admitted, twirling a loose strand of hair around her finger. “Just staying home, I guess.”

“That’s Perfect,” Ethan said, grinning. “Because I got us tickets to a wonderful movie. What do you say?”

Emma blinked in surprise. “A movie?”

“Yeah. I figured we could hang out, get some popcorn, and enjoy a good film.”

Emma bit her lip, trying to suppress the excitement bubbling inside her.

“That sounds… nice.”

“Just nice?” Ethan chuckled.

Emma rolled her eyes playfully. “Fine. It sounds fun.”

“That’s more like it,” Ethan said. “I’ll pick you up at five?”

“Okay,” she agreed.

“Great. I can’t wait.”

As soon as the call ended, Emma let out a breathless laugh and immediately called her best friend.

“Tell me everything!” her friend demanded before Emma could even say hello.

Emma laughed.

“Okay, okay! So dinner last night was amazing. And guess what? He just invited me to a movie!”

“What?! Oh my god, Emma! You are literally living in a romance novel right now.”

Emma giggled, shaking her head. “Stop exaggerating.”

“I am not! This is huge! So… did he kiss you?”

Emma paused, her fingers absentmindedly touching her cheek. “Well… he kissed my cheek.”

Her friend gasped dramatically.

“Emma! That is even cuter!”

“I don’t know… it’s just a kiss on the cheek.”

“Girl, please. That is like, the most respectful yet flirty move ever. Ugh, I love this for you!”

Emma grinned, her heart feeling lighter than it had in a long time.

They talked for a while, Emma sharing all the little details.

By the time the call ended, she was even more excited for the evening ahead.

Meanwhile, at Serena’s house…

Serena sat on her bed, her back resting against the headboard, a laptop on her lap.

She had been trying to catch up on work, but honestly, she wasn’t in the mood.

A small knock on the door made her look up.

“Amy?” Serena called out.

The door creaked open, and her daughter peeked inside. “Mommy, are you feeling better today?”

Serena smiled softly, closing her laptop.

“A little bit. What about you? Did you eat breakfast?”

Amy nodded. “Grandma baked a cake for you!”

Serena’s brows lifted in surprise. “She did?”

Amy grinned. “Yup! She said it’s your favorite.”

Serena chuckled. “That sounds like Mom.”

Just as she was about to get out of bed, her mother, Mrs. Winthrop, suddenly walked into the room, smiling brightly.

“Serena, sweetheart!” she chirped.

Serena narrowed her eyes suspiciously.

“You’re way too happy right now. What’s going on?”

Her mother clasped her hands together. “Nathan is here to see you!”

Serena’s breath hitched.

Amy giggled, her eyes twinkling. “And he brought a lot of goodies!”

Serena groaned, running a hand down her face. “Mom…”

Mrs. Winthrop smirked. “Oh, come on! The man is clearly in love with you!”

“Mom!” Serena glared.

But her mother only laughed.

With a sigh, Serena set aside her laptop and made her way to the living room.

And there he was.

Nathan stood there, looking effortlessly handsome, holding several shopping bags.

“You didn’t have to bring all this,” Serena said, crossing her arms.

Nathan shrugged. “It’s nothing.”

Before she could argue, her mother dragged him to the dining table and insisted he eat something.

Nathan tried to refuse.

But in the end, he reluctantly sat down and ate.

And as Serena watched him, she couldn’t help but wonder—

What exactly was she going to do about Nathan?

And the fact that her mother had this sudden likeness towards him, made her feel uncomfortable knowing whatever he would want from her, she wasn’t ready to give it back to him.